Google to launch smartwatches in 2017

The smartwatches will be powered by Android Wear 2.0 and will not have any Google or Pixel branding on them.Robin Sinha | Gadgets Now | December 23, 2016, 17:15 IST

Putting end to months-long rumours, Google has officially confirmed its upcoming smartwatches. The company will be launching its smartwatches early next year. Google's product manager of Android Wear Jeff Chang told The Verge that the company will launch two smartwatches next year.

Chang said that the Google smartwatches will be powered by Android Wear 2.0. This means that the smartwatches will be the very first wearable devices to come with Android Wear 2.0. Chang also revealed that the smartwatches will not have any Google or Pixel branding on them. The smartwatches will instead carry the OEM branding .

The move is surprising as earlier this year the search giant removed OEM branding from its Pixel smartphones. Launched in September end, Google Pixel smartphones sport Google logo at the back.

Coming to smartwatches, Google is speculated to have already picked up an OEM for them. Speculations suggest Motorola, LG and Samsung to be among the top contenders to make the smartwatch. Google's Chang further said that Android Wear 2.0 partner announcement may happen during CES 2017, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas (US) from January 5 to 8th.

Rumours also claim that the smartwatches will come in different sizes and target both genders. Of the two smartwatches, one is likely to be slightly more feature-laden than the other.

Android Wear 2.0 OS version is expected to bring new features along with standalone apps that will no longer require a connected smartphone to operate. The OS is also supposed to bring Android Pay and Google Voice Assistant seen in Pixel smartphones.

In addition, since Android Pay has certain hardware requirements for a smartwatch, some may not be able to support the feature.